Driving through Denver at 6:30 pm was spooky. I hoped to get through on the freeway past Invesco Field before they shut it off. I was too late.
There wasn't anyone around but the folks assigned to close the ramps and the road. They had to recruit everyone and use any old truck with flashers, too, because one ramp was blocked with their street painting truck.
I was shunted off onto a Route 6 westward. Fine, I could exit at any of the big north-south boulevards here and get back to our digs at Regis University.
I was thinking, wow, everyone in Denver must be a Democrat. NO ONE, but NO ONE, was out.
They must all be at Invesco Field.
I exited at a street I'd heard of.
Oh, here's where all of Denver REALLY is.
They're on my boulevard, parked. Occasionally they move a few inches.
An hour or so later, I finally crept from 10th Avenue to 50th Avenue and made my escape. Ahhhh.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Jon Stewart and "The Daily Show"
What to do, what to do. I could go sit for 12 hours in the hot sun in Iowa's high-altitude seats at Mile High Field (how DO flatland players catch their breaths?). I could, well, go hiking or shopping. No, that's not okay; I'm at work here. Ah, I'll play the hero, give my Invesco Field pass to a student I know who's dying to go--and I'll fill the empty "fieldwork" slot at "The Daily Show."
Now, I didn't learn all their inside secrets. I'm just going to tell you how it goes for the audiences.
Taping is at about 5 pm Denver time. Stand-bys (and for that, you actually have to print out a "stand-by" pass) are already there when I arrive at 1 pm for my gig. The stand-by line is off to one side with all the equipment trucks and Johnny-on-the-Spots (in a way, not a bad location--about which, more coming up). They're in the sun at first, but they propose a deal where their line is up against a stone wall with a smidgeon of shade. The so-New-York gals honchoing everything agree. Shade it is.
The people with "tickets", which are print-outs from online, stand in a different line. It's longer and it's unabashedly in the sun. For the first few hours, people use huge umbrellas and fold-up chairs and the wise ones brought a picnic or a novel. Then show-time approaches (at 3 pm) and I'm sent down the line with a message. I shout it at intervals.
"Okay, they sent me to tell you the scoop. We get to go into an air-conditioned spot in about 20 minutes." There's cheering. "Now's the time to take all your large items back to your cars. Inside, it's no drinks, no gum, no cameras, no cellphones, no food. AND it's last call for the restroom." (I don't know so I can't tell them, we have about five more last call bathroom breaks, even one after they're seated in the studio. You can't believe how many people suddenly have to go, as soon as you tell them they can't for the next hour.)
The 20 minutes stretch to 40. Meanwhile, people with VIP and SuperVIP passes are "wanded" through security and sent to wait in a makeshift lounge (padded benches added to a hall, closed with black curtains on a portable trellis).
The regular audience and I are wilting.
Some guy comes along with a little golf cart and boxes of promotional t-shirts for a Mexican restaurant. They're grey and they say "Burritos for Obama" and "Tacos for Obama". The supply is marvelously endless and he parks and hands out goodies every very yards. The women and kids want them. The guys aren't quite sure. Taco for Obama? !
We're all wilted like a stir-fried batch of greens when finally, the New Yorkers (wild fun hair, tight jeans, sleeveless t's, and attitude) come out with the "tickets". These are laminated numbers.
I know what you're thinking; don't even try it. First off, they're in weird colors. Second, they don't start at number 1. And third, everyone in line knows EXACTLY who is in front of and behind them by now. After all this time, they're BFFs (best friends forever). Good thing, too, because they'll be sitting together in the holding theater and again in the studio. This operation has to be carefully handled to be strictly fair or you KNOW there would be hard feelings.
Everyone with a legit ticket gets a number, in order. This takes a while, with 300 people now lined up clear around the block.
I'm sent to issue another last call for the bathroom. Lots of people suddenly realize they need to go.
From here, the audience goes through careful security. It's slow and tedious and necessary. After this, location of everyone is known and watched by a cadre of security people. You can imagine why, in these days.
We wait and cool off and review the rules and make a few jokes in a nice cool theater.
Finally, everyone moves, in numerical order, to the studio, in small groups.
I'm not in there yet so I don't know how that's done. I will be upstairs in the balcony with the last folks in the ticket line and the stand-bys who really, really wanted to see the show. Me and the stand-bys will be standing up the whole time. I'm tired but psyched; they're tired but psyched.
The theater has been remade. The sets are/seem super sturdy, nothing like the community theater "flats" of my youth. Sound system is beyond great. Lighting is complex and amazing. Their crews must be the uber-crews! Hundreds of ceiling lights and mics, all doing something useful, aimed in 100s of directions; backlit set elements; hanging screens mounted from the ceiling so the audience can actually see the taped footage that goes with the Stewart anchoring. Hanging mics to capture live audience response... Fantastic!
Now we're in, they practice the downstairs folks with the audience-boom-camera, so no one gets bonked on the head when it cruises over.
A pushy, funny NY comic Paul Mecurio warms the audience up. (Or heats them up, I'm not sure which.) He was great.
We practice cheering. I'm realizing why men like to go to sporting events. Where else can you yell as loud as your voice will let you, without getting arrested or carted off to the loony bin? We're enjoying the yelling when Jon Stewart comes in.
Consumate professional. Funny on the fly as he is on camera. Taller than I expected, even given we know he's tall from television.
Biggest surprise? Something we should all have known. This is a daily show, after all. They're writing it on the fly. Even as Stewart does a segment, they're off at stage right frantically scribbling notes. Between segments, they consult. Once, there's a do-over where a word didn't come out right. That's all though. They could darn near go live. It's professional, it's quick, it's smart, it's well-managed. (No, there are no backstage horror stories to tell. Everyone's working hard to make a great show, but I was around a long time and there was no yelling, no sniping, no none of that.
We loved the show. What can I say? Why else were we there to start with?
Now, I didn't learn all their inside secrets. I'm just going to tell you how it goes for the audiences.
Taping is at about 5 pm Denver time. Stand-bys (and for that, you actually have to print out a "stand-by" pass) are already there when I arrive at 1 pm for my gig. The stand-by line is off to one side with all the equipment trucks and Johnny-on-the-Spots (in a way, not a bad location--about which, more coming up). They're in the sun at first, but they propose a deal where their line is up against a stone wall with a smidgeon of shade. The so-New-York gals honchoing everything agree. Shade it is.
The people with "tickets", which are print-outs from online, stand in a different line. It's longer and it's unabashedly in the sun. For the first few hours, people use huge umbrellas and fold-up chairs and the wise ones brought a picnic or a novel. Then show-time approaches (at 3 pm) and I'm sent down the line with a message. I shout it at intervals.
"Okay, they sent me to tell you the scoop. We get to go into an air-conditioned spot in about 20 minutes." There's cheering. "Now's the time to take all your large items back to your cars. Inside, it's no drinks, no gum, no cameras, no cellphones, no food. AND it's last call for the restroom." (I don't know so I can't tell them, we have about five more last call bathroom breaks, even one after they're seated in the studio. You can't believe how many people suddenly have to go, as soon as you tell them they can't for the next hour.)
The 20 minutes stretch to 40. Meanwhile, people with VIP and SuperVIP passes are "wanded" through security and sent to wait in a makeshift lounge (padded benches added to a hall, closed with black curtains on a portable trellis).
The regular audience and I are wilting.
Some guy comes along with a little golf cart and boxes of promotional t-shirts for a Mexican restaurant. They're grey and they say "Burritos for Obama" and "Tacos for Obama". The supply is marvelously endless and he parks and hands out goodies every very yards. The women and kids want them. The guys aren't quite sure. Taco for Obama? !
We're all wilted like a stir-fried batch of greens when finally, the New Yorkers (wild fun hair, tight jeans, sleeveless t's, and attitude) come out with the "tickets". These are laminated numbers.
I know what you're thinking; don't even try it. First off, they're in weird colors. Second, they don't start at number 1. And third, everyone in line knows EXACTLY who is in front of and behind them by now. After all this time, they're BFFs (best friends forever). Good thing, too, because they'll be sitting together in the holding theater and again in the studio. This operation has to be carefully handled to be strictly fair or you KNOW there would be hard feelings.
Everyone with a legit ticket gets a number, in order. This takes a while, with 300 people now lined up clear around the block.
I'm sent to issue another last call for the bathroom. Lots of people suddenly realize they need to go.
From here, the audience goes through careful security. It's slow and tedious and necessary. After this, location of everyone is known and watched by a cadre of security people. You can imagine why, in these days.
We wait and cool off and review the rules and make a few jokes in a nice cool theater.
Finally, everyone moves, in numerical order, to the studio, in small groups.
I'm not in there yet so I don't know how that's done. I will be upstairs in the balcony with the last folks in the ticket line and the stand-bys who really, really wanted to see the show. Me and the stand-bys will be standing up the whole time. I'm tired but psyched; they're tired but psyched.
The theater has been remade. The sets are/seem super sturdy, nothing like the community theater "flats" of my youth. Sound system is beyond great. Lighting is complex and amazing. Their crews must be the uber-crews! Hundreds of ceiling lights and mics, all doing something useful, aimed in 100s of directions; backlit set elements; hanging screens mounted from the ceiling so the audience can actually see the taped footage that goes with the Stewart anchoring. Hanging mics to capture live audience response... Fantastic!
Now we're in, they practice the downstairs folks with the audience-boom-camera, so no one gets bonked on the head when it cruises over.
A pushy, funny NY comic Paul Mecurio warms the audience up. (Or heats them up, I'm not sure which.) He was great.
We practice cheering. I'm realizing why men like to go to sporting events. Where else can you yell as loud as your voice will let you, without getting arrested or carted off to the loony bin? We're enjoying the yelling when Jon Stewart comes in.
Consumate professional. Funny on the fly as he is on camera. Taller than I expected, even given we know he's tall from television.
Biggest surprise? Something we should all have known. This is a daily show, after all. They're writing it on the fly. Even as Stewart does a segment, they're off at stage right frantically scribbling notes. Between segments, they consult. Once, there's a do-over where a word didn't come out right. That's all though. They could darn near go live. It's professional, it's quick, it's smart, it's well-managed. (No, there are no backstage horror stories to tell. Everyone's working hard to make a great show, but I was around a long time and there was no yelling, no sniping, no none of that.
We loved the show. What can I say? Why else were we there to start with?
Thursday, the Big Day...and Friday, Departures
All the Drake students were at Invesco Field with the other professors. This not-so-intrepid professor went on over to help as an "intern" at the Jon Stewart "Daily Show", which airs on Comedy Central network. (Hope you saw it; it was as always hilarious).
Today, 50,000 people are scattering to the four winds. Waits at airports and train stations to clear security are three hours and more. I've chosen sanity over exhaustion and told the students to cover their experience of Thursday for us this weekend, from the calm nucleus of home. (You already formed your own experience of it from television, without absorbing too much of the commentators' rehash, I hope.)
During this trip, I've become much more sympathetic to the media, the broadcasters in particular.
Denver saw an epidemic of "Where's my this?" "I can't find my that." Packing to travel is re-memorizing your whole health and clothing environment. Little things elude you. Reading glasses, the computer cord, a pen, food. It's no wonder larger things are so elusive to a media corps that's moving from place to place constantly, with less and less control over personal environment s more and more survival items go missing.
Hereafter, I'm going to blame the daze and stress of travel for any anchorperson's moments of moron-hood.
And I'll post the students' stories and photos this weekend. Cheers!
Today, 50,000 people are scattering to the four winds. Waits at airports and train stations to clear security are three hours and more. I've chosen sanity over exhaustion and told the students to cover their experience of Thursday for us this weekend, from the calm nucleus of home. (You already formed your own experience of it from television, without absorbing too much of the commentators' rehash, I hope.)
During this trip, I've become much more sympathetic to the media, the broadcasters in particular.
Denver saw an epidemic of "Where's my this?" "I can't find my that." Packing to travel is re-memorizing your whole health and clothing environment. Little things elude you. Reading glasses, the computer cord, a pen, food. It's no wonder larger things are so elusive to a media corps that's moving from place to place constantly, with less and less control over personal environment s more and more survival items go missing.
Hereafter, I'm going to blame the daze and stress of travel for any anchorperson's moments of moron-hood.
And I'll post the students' stories and photos this weekend. Cheers!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Come with Me to the Emily's List Gala
Alexa Pichert, Drake Journalism
Tuesday August 26, 2008
[Emily = Early Money Is Like Yeast; Emily's List = Fundraising Group for Women Progressive Candidates]
When I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel where the Emily’s List Gala was being held it seemed like there was a lot of organized chaos, which later just turned into chaos. My job was to check the media in and give them their credentials and then send them off to the Secret Service to be taken into the press box. This sounds much easier than it was.
There were 300 media outlets that applied to get a spot to cover the speakers and only 40 were allowed spots. Most outlets were only allowed to bring two people. This left us to deal with many angry and upset people that weren’t allowed in. Many of whom claimed they had received e-mails saying they could come. I had to explain to the people from CBS and FOX that they were not on the list and would have to talk to the woman in charge to try to get in. Then there were the people that would make up names and try to claim they were with a big time outlet to get in or those that would read the list form upside down and then when asked to see their identification just walk away. My favorite was the woman who said that she had been personally told by Hilary Clinton that she could come.
Dealing with the Secret Service wasn’t much better. Once the media had been checked in they had to go wait for the Secret Service to send them through security. The only problem was that no one was willing to stay in the holding area. They would walk around trying to get interviews and different angles for their stories. I felt slightly out of place telling all these big name media people to go stand against the wall like little kids.
Once everyone had gone through security and the media had all been settled into their box, we were allowed to go in and listen to the speakers. I missed most of Senator Clinton who went first, which was slightly disappointing. I was able to hear the end of her speech where she encouraged women to vote for Barack Obama because “he is on our side,” said Clinton.
“If you call up Laura Bush, she won’t be there, if you call up Michelle Obama, she will be.” Clinton said.
"Michelle Obama is looking out for women and so is Barack Obama, he will listen to our needs and he is willing to sign the bill giving women equal pay. George Bush wasn’t willing to sign that bill and neither will John McCain," said Clinton to end her speech.
After her, Nancy Pelosi came on and gave a speech pretty similar to the one I’d heard the day before, but this time there weren’t any interruptions from Code Pink. She talked about the enormous amount of pressure she felt being the first woman to sit at the table as the Speaker of the House. She said she could feel all the great women standing behind her as she sat in that chair for the first time. Pelosi said she wished more women could sit at the table with her so that they could make it equal, 50/50.
Next Michelle Oabama came out. She talked about her husband and his goals as president to help out women. “Barack used to say there are two realities: the way the world is and the way it should be,” said Michelle Obama. She said that Barack's goal is to make sure that we don’t just settle for the way it is but we fight for the way it should be. She also thanked Senator Clinton for her help and guidance over the past couple months during the campaign, about dealing with raising a family and a husband who is running for president.
The Emily’s List gala had some very interesting speakers that I’m glad I got to see. The organization of it seemed pretty much non-existent, though. With so many big names coming, I would’ve expected much better preparation and security measures of who was and wasn’t allowed in.
Tuesday August 26, 2008
[Emily = Early Money Is Like Yeast; Emily's List = Fundraising Group for Women Progressive Candidates]
When I arrived at the Sheraton Hotel where the Emily’s List Gala was being held it seemed like there was a lot of organized chaos, which later just turned into chaos. My job was to check the media in and give them their credentials and then send them off to the Secret Service to be taken into the press box. This sounds much easier than it was.
There were 300 media outlets that applied to get a spot to cover the speakers and only 40 were allowed spots. Most outlets were only allowed to bring two people. This left us to deal with many angry and upset people that weren’t allowed in. Many of whom claimed they had received e-mails saying they could come. I had to explain to the people from CBS and FOX that they were not on the list and would have to talk to the woman in charge to try to get in. Then there were the people that would make up names and try to claim they were with a big time outlet to get in or those that would read the list form upside down and then when asked to see their identification just walk away. My favorite was the woman who said that she had been personally told by Hilary Clinton that she could come.
Dealing with the Secret Service wasn’t much better. Once the media had been checked in they had to go wait for the Secret Service to send them through security. The only problem was that no one was willing to stay in the holding area. They would walk around trying to get interviews and different angles for their stories. I felt slightly out of place telling all these big name media people to go stand against the wall like little kids.
Once everyone had gone through security and the media had all been settled into their box, we were allowed to go in and listen to the speakers. I missed most of Senator Clinton who went first, which was slightly disappointing. I was able to hear the end of her speech where she encouraged women to vote for Barack Obama because “he is on our side,” said Clinton.
“If you call up Laura Bush, she won’t be there, if you call up Michelle Obama, she will be.” Clinton said.
"Michelle Obama is looking out for women and so is Barack Obama, he will listen to our needs and he is willing to sign the bill giving women equal pay. George Bush wasn’t willing to sign that bill and neither will John McCain," said Clinton to end her speech.
After her, Nancy Pelosi came on and gave a speech pretty similar to the one I’d heard the day before, but this time there weren’t any interruptions from Code Pink. She talked about the enormous amount of pressure she felt being the first woman to sit at the table as the Speaker of the House. She said she could feel all the great women standing behind her as she sat in that chair for the first time. Pelosi said she wished more women could sit at the table with her so that they could make it equal, 50/50.
Next Michelle Oabama came out. She talked about her husband and his goals as president to help out women. “Barack used to say there are two realities: the way the world is and the way it should be,” said Michelle Obama. She said that Barack's goal is to make sure that we don’t just settle for the way it is but we fight for the way it should be. She also thanked Senator Clinton for her help and guidance over the past couple months during the campaign, about dealing with raising a family and a husband who is running for president.
The Emily’s List gala had some very interesting speakers that I’m glad I got to see. The organization of it seemed pretty much non-existent, though. With so many big names coming, I would’ve expected much better preparation and security measures of who was and wasn’t allowed in.
Hillary supporters-not done yet?
from Lee Jolliffe
Yesterday evening, long before the "approved" convention signs for Hillary were passed out, delegations all over the Hall were waving the HIllary signs they'd brought from home. Here, Jeff Glaze catches a shot of a typical reaction to any mention of Hillary's name throughout the evening and before her arrival.
Kucinich Wakes up America--and the Convention Hall
by Jeff Glaze, Drake Politics and Journalism
(speech quotations verified at swamppolitics.com, part of the Tribune Co.)
Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich delivered a fiery speech Tuesday afternoon at the Democratic National Convention. Kucinich took the stage and enthusiastically announced, “We Democrats are giving America a wake-up call!” Kucinich strongly critiqued the direction of our country in his anti-war speech. The Ohio Congressman angrily stated that “[We] borrowed money to bomb bridges in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. No money to rebuild bridges in America. Money to start a hot war with Iran. Now we have another cold war with Russia.” Kucinich continually called on Americans to “wake up”, and as the speech went on, he became increasingly animated, practically jumping behind the podium. The Pepsi Center was half empty at the time the speech was delivered, but those who were there to witness it cheered wildly. Reporters and photographers who had been paying little attention to the other speeches rushed in to listen to Kucinich’s rant.
Then Kucinich changed the tone of his speech from angry to hopefully in a matter of seconds. “Wake up, America. This is not a call for you to take a new direction from right to left. This is call for you to go from down to up. Up with the rights of workers. Up with wages. Up with fair trade,” he said. “Up with health care for all. Up with education for all. Up with home ownership. Up with guaranteed retirement benefits. Up with peace. Up with prosperity. Up with the Democratic Party. Up with Obama-Biden. Wake up, America. Wake up, America. Wake up, America.” Kucinich finished to a standing ovation from the entire hall. As Kucinich walked off, he covered his heart and waved in a gesture of his sincerity.
Protestors Inside and Out
from Lee Jolliffe
While Alexa Pichert was helping with Nancy Pelosi's much-interrupted event inside (see her post below), I was swimming upstream through thousands of people jamming the 16th Street pedestrian mall (the 10+-block shopping/tourist area downtown). I wasn't there for fun either; I was headed for the Iowa delegation's hotel in the middle of the mess, looking for passes to tomorrow night's Obama event (which it seems will really start at 11 am if you have any true desire to get in).
It wasn't so much the protestors as the police who created the logjam of people, bikes, and free trolleys. It was the police.
As I approached the Mall, an SUV with police all over it like ants on a creampuff went zooming by blasting bursts of siren. I followed more slowly.
It was quite a parade: Cop-decorated SUV, then cadre of bicycle police, then a mounted patrol in riot gear, then the little mob of protestors, then a whole array of police again--driving, riding, mounted.
A kid handed me a sheet about "Denver's Dirtiest", "polluters of global proportions bankrolling the DNC".
But I never did see what the protest was all about.
I did, however, score those coveted passes for my students.
While Alexa Pichert was helping with Nancy Pelosi's much-interrupted event inside (see her post below), I was swimming upstream through thousands of people jamming the 16th Street pedestrian mall (the 10+-block shopping/tourist area downtown). I wasn't there for fun either; I was headed for the Iowa delegation's hotel in the middle of the mess, looking for passes to tomorrow night's Obama event (which it seems will really start at 11 am if you have any true desire to get in).
It wasn't so much the protestors as the police who created the logjam of people, bikes, and free trolleys. It was the police.
As I approached the Mall, an SUV with police all over it like ants on a creampuff went zooming by blasting bursts of siren. I followed more slowly.
It was quite a parade: Cop-decorated SUV, then cadre of bicycle police, then a mounted patrol in riot gear, then the little mob of protestors, then a whole array of police again--driving, riding, mounted.
A kid handed me a sheet about "Denver's Dirtiest", "polluters of global proportions bankrolling the DNC".
But I never did see what the protest was all about.
I did, however, score those coveted passes for my students.
Nancy Pelosi, Rudely Interrupted
by Alexa Pichert
Denver, August 27, 2008
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, walked into the Buell Theater Monday afternoon to be welcomed by a standing ovation. While all this was happening a group of women dressed from head to toe in pink wearing beauty pageant sashes and tiaras that were pink as well ran to the front of the stage holding up pink banners and screaming “YOU LIED TO OUR FACES NANCY!”, “WHY ARE YOU KILLING OUR SONS IN IRAQ?!”. They were quickly escorted out by security and I assumed it was all over.
I was wrong. Pelosi (and I can only hope to look half as good as she does by the time I’m nearly 70) attempted to tell the audience about her experiences being the first woman as the House Majority Leader was continuously interrupted. The women from the organization Code Pink would randomly stand up from their seats and shout out anti-war comments. Each person who did this was escorted out of the building but there were so many women from the organization there that it wasn’t until Pelosi was nearly done talking that they had all been escorted out. By the end of all this, the audience had grown so annoyed with Code Pink that people began yelling back at them for their random out bursts and booing them as they left the building.
Pelosi for the most part ignored their shouts and interruptions but did stop a few times to say she was going to talk about her opinions on the war toward the end of her speech. I’m definitelly not the most informed person in this city about politics but to me it didn’t make sense for them to be protesting Nancy Pelosi. As far as I could tell, she was against the war too. She said in her speech she voted against it and had never wanted us to go into Iraq. Unless Pelosi is lying or there was something that I missed out on, it didn’t make sense to protest at her speech.
I felt it was very inappropriate of Code Pink to get their message across the way they did. They turned people off to their cause because of their over-the-top actions. They continuously interrupted a speech by someone I thought was very interesting; I had been looking forward to hearing what she had to say.
Code Pink along with several other protesters here in Denver seem to be almost provoking the public and the police into anger. If they are protesting for peace, why are these people saying and doing things that insult other people? Insulting Nancy Pelosi and not letting her speak did nothing to get us to peace.
Denver, August 27, 2008
Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, walked into the Buell Theater Monday afternoon to be welcomed by a standing ovation. While all this was happening a group of women dressed from head to toe in pink wearing beauty pageant sashes and tiaras that were pink as well ran to the front of the stage holding up pink banners and screaming “YOU LIED TO OUR FACES NANCY!”, “WHY ARE YOU KILLING OUR SONS IN IRAQ?!”. They were quickly escorted out by security and I assumed it was all over.
I was wrong. Pelosi (and I can only hope to look half as good as she does by the time I’m nearly 70) attempted to tell the audience about her experiences being the first woman as the House Majority Leader was continuously interrupted. The women from the organization Code Pink would randomly stand up from their seats and shout out anti-war comments. Each person who did this was escorted out of the building but there were so many women from the organization there that it wasn’t until Pelosi was nearly done talking that they had all been escorted out. By the end of all this, the audience had grown so annoyed with Code Pink that people began yelling back at them for their random out bursts and booing them as they left the building.
Pelosi for the most part ignored their shouts and interruptions but did stop a few times to say she was going to talk about her opinions on the war toward the end of her speech. I’m definitelly not the most informed person in this city about politics but to me it didn’t make sense for them to be protesting Nancy Pelosi. As far as I could tell, she was against the war too. She said in her speech she voted against it and had never wanted us to go into Iraq. Unless Pelosi is lying or there was something that I missed out on, it didn’t make sense to protest at her speech.
I felt it was very inappropriate of Code Pink to get their message across the way they did. They turned people off to their cause because of their over-the-top actions. They continuously interrupted a speech by someone I thought was very interesting; I had been looking forward to hearing what she had to say.
Code Pink along with several other protesters here in Denver seem to be almost provoking the public and the police into anger. If they are protesting for peace, why are these people saying and doing things that insult other people? Insulting Nancy Pelosi and not letting her speak did nothing to get us to peace.
Welcome, World-Wide Readers
A warm welcome to our many international guests. I'm old enough to remember a day when in my little town (Circleville, OH), we could only get the local paper. My dad ordered the Wall Street Journal, which came in the mail two days late. We did get two of the three national networks, and if you went out back and banged on the tv antenna pole (where we kept a chunk of wood for that purpose), you might even get ABC too. No movies, no videos, no Comedy Channel. Books we had in abundance, thanks to the Pickaway County District Public Library, where I worked after school.
Thank goodness for electronics! And satellites, and cable, and video recordings. And now the Internet. As long as the powerful don't manage to pass their "internet control" bill through Congress, we can talk with one another worldwide. It makes me smile.
Just checking our visitors log, I find we have many guests from the USA, but also visitors from Germany, Peru, Canada, Denmark, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Croatia, Austria, South Africa, Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Kenya, Morocco, Indonesia, Spain, China, Norway, Italy, and France. So this is a welcome to you.
We know you can probably see the Convention itself on television or video streaming online, so we are bringing you as much of the locale and the responses as we can. The city is awash in activity and we are plunging into that and reporting as we can manage to.
Father Michael Sheehan, Ph.D., S.J., welcomed us to Regis University, where we are living, early last week.
He told us that he'd been on his dream vacation this summer, to Spain and Ireland. Whenever he'd get into a taxicab or sit down on a train or stop in at a pub, people would quickly figure out he was a United States-ian. (My Venezuelan friend points out it's false pride to call ourselves "Americans" when there are some 37 other countries that are also American.)
Father Sheehan found himself in the same conversation many times: Who will win the U.S. election? Who do you favor? How is it going?
He reminded us what a privilege it is to be able to vote in the U.S. election. So many other people who are deeply affected by U.S. policies have no voice.
You can have a voice here, if you like, by responding to our posts. Please join us. We'd be happy to hear from you.
"Fieldwork" at the Convention: Fall Out Boy Concert
[Teacher's note: The Drake students all have fabulous fieldwork here, from escorting Madeleine Albright to working on the Floor of the Convention to writing for the Denver Post to handling logistics at the hundreds of events that surround the Convention. Alexa, who writes here, will also be working at the Emily's List gala, where she'll see Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. Jeff is on the Convention Floor (most coveted pass of all) every night, Meagan will be helping with audience control for the Jon Stewart "Daily Show", and even I, the teacher, get some moments in the sun. I'll be with Meagan and Jon Stewart Friday. Here's the word from Alexa's first event placement.]
by Alexa Pichert, Drake journalism
After being shuffled around a couple times by the staff members of Rock the Vote, we were finally all assigned jobs. My first job was to sit outside by the red carpet and direct the media where to go. The media couldn’t pick up their credentials until 8:30 and I was sent out at about 6:00 so this made me a perfect target for the homeless and any one else with strong opinions to come over and tell me their life stories or their political views. After three separate accounts of a woman’s life, whose business card said she was an international poet, one very angry man's rant about the world today and young people, and one man who spent several minutes trying to convince me he was with Bad Boy Entertainment and needed to get inside immediately under P. Diddy's orders, someone else came out to cover my spot and I went upstairs to find a new assignment.
On my way up the stairs Pharrell and the rest of NERD were coming down the stairs to do their rehearsal. They stopped and asked me where the stage was and I very smoothly told them I thought it was upstairs. They said it definitely wasn’t upstairs so I explained I really had no idea where anything was and ran off in embarrassed excitement. I barely had time to get myself together when I walked by Fall Out Boy near their dressing room. I’m not a particularly big fan of the band but it was still cool to see them.
After running around and doing several other random jobs for the Rock the Vote organization, we were allowed to go into the concert. I was surprised that there were so many open seats. We got to go way up front and there were a bunch of open spots still. Jakob Dylan, singer from the Wallflowers, opened; he had a good show but his music isn’t the type that pumps an audience up. (In general everyone seemed more interested in going to the bar to buy more drinks than listening to the performers.)
After a small break, NERD came on. They definitely had the best performance and got the crowd going the most. Again I felt bad for all the performers because it wasn’t the best concert crowd I had ever seen. This was probably because many of the concert goers were older men in business suits. Not exactly a crazy group to be at a concert. Although it was pretty funny to see them jumping around to NERD in their suits.
"If all of you are here because you want to Rock the Vote, I can't understand why you aren't standing up!" said NERD, who did a good job of getting the crowd up out of their seats and dancing. They even brought several audience members on stage during the performance.
Last was Fall Out Boy. At this point, I had been up since six in the morning and it was 12:30 by the time they came on. I’ve also never been a fan of their type of music so I just wasn’t feeling it and left after a couple songs. For those that do enjoy his music, it was probably a good show but I was over it at that point.
All in all the performers put on a good show but the audience needed to step it up.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Michelle Obama Was Headliner, Sen. Kennedy Stole the Show
Story and photos by Jeff Glaze
(Note from Prof. Jolliffe: Jeff is working with European PressPhoto Agency and has access to the Hall and the Podium every night-- WOW, what an opportunity!)
The opening night of the Democratic National Convention marked not by the speech of Michelle Obama, but by the surprise appearance of Senator Ted Kennedy. Caroline Kennedy took the stage to give a speech about the people of greatest influence in her life, most notably her brother. After Caroline finished her emotional speech, a video about Sen. Kennedy’s life was played in the Pepsi Center. The video was extremely well received as many of the audience members were left with tears running from their eyes. A moment later Ted Kennedy and his wife, Vicki emerged from behind the stage to a raucous applause. Supporters chanted “KEN-NED-Y! KEN-NED-Y!” and held up signs with the Senator’s name on them. The Senator and his wife embraced behind the podium and waved to the delegates and media. It was easy to get chills from the moment. Sen. Kennedy delivered a very personal speech about the struggle for universal health care and his support for Barack Obama. The crowd went especially wild when Sen. Kennedy promised that he would be in Washington come January 2009.
Sen. Kennedy’s appearance was energizing for everyone in the Pepsi Center Monday evening. In the midst of fighting a malignant brain tumor, Kennedy found Obama’s candidacy for President to be of enough importance to warrant an appearance. The image of Ted Kennedy beating the odds to stand at the podium at the DNC to support Barack Obama conveyed the Obama campaign’s message of hope.
Internships in Denver
by Meagan Savage, Drake Journalism student
Denver, August 26, 2008
Being an intern means doing grunt work. It means being star-struck at the sight of real journalists. It means jumping when you hear “jump.” It means blogging until you can blog no more (no more blogs.. please!). It means wondering what to say when a senior staff member joins you in the elevator. It means no pay and less sleep.
Mostly it just means you’re at the bottom of the food chain.
But let me let you in on a little secret: it’s cool. I’m not joking. It’s an incredible experience. Heck, I’m just happy to be ON the food chain for once. That’s more than most people can say. And way more than I could say three weeks ago. You can’t start climbing a ladder without the first rung anyway.
You know what else is cool about being an intern? You can screw up. You can ask questions. You get do-overs. At this point nobody really expects you to know what to do or what to say or where to go, so it’s awesome to take advantage of that. After you’re in the industry a while, you don’t exactly get that luxury. The people I’m with know I’m an intern and know I need help so it’s the perfect opportunity to ask.
Plus, I’m getting the chance to do some low-key assignments and I’m THRILLED. An experienced staffer would probably roll their eyes at the idea of writing what I’ve been given to write – which is probably how I got the assignment in the first place. You don’t get to be choosy as an intern. Well, you can be, but your employer will probably not be terribly happy with you. And you never know where any of these bizarre assignments could lead you. You could find you absolutely love a particular subject or beat you never thought of before or you could stumble upon something major completely by accident.
It sounds crazy, but professional journalists have said over and over again that it’s days like these – where you’re flying by the seat of your pants and messing up left and right and fumbling your way through – that become their fondest memories of the job.
Denver, August 26, 2008
Being an intern means doing grunt work. It means being star-struck at the sight of real journalists. It means jumping when you hear “jump.” It means blogging until you can blog no more (no more blogs.. please!). It means wondering what to say when a senior staff member joins you in the elevator. It means no pay and less sleep.
Mostly it just means you’re at the bottom of the food chain.
But let me let you in on a little secret: it’s cool. I’m not joking. It’s an incredible experience. Heck, I’m just happy to be ON the food chain for once. That’s more than most people can say. And way more than I could say three weeks ago. You can’t start climbing a ladder without the first rung anyway.
You know what else is cool about being an intern? You can screw up. You can ask questions. You get do-overs. At this point nobody really expects you to know what to do or what to say or where to go, so it’s awesome to take advantage of that. After you’re in the industry a while, you don’t exactly get that luxury. The people I’m with know I’m an intern and know I need help so it’s the perfect opportunity to ask.
Plus, I’m getting the chance to do some low-key assignments and I’m THRILLED. An experienced staffer would probably roll their eyes at the idea of writing what I’ve been given to write – which is probably how I got the assignment in the first place. You don’t get to be choosy as an intern. Well, you can be, but your employer will probably not be terribly happy with you. And you never know where any of these bizarre assignments could lead you. You could find you absolutely love a particular subject or beat you never thought of before or you could stumble upon something major completely by accident.
It sounds crazy, but professional journalists have said over and over again that it’s days like these – where you’re flying by the seat of your pants and messing up left and right and fumbling your way through – that become their fondest memories of the job.
Hillary Suporters Not Done Yet...
Hillary Clinton supporters marched up and down the Denver Mall Monday,
protesting the DNC Rules Committee's secret vote on allotment of
Michigan and Florida delegates. That vote split the representation
between the front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, whereas Senator Clinton had actually won a greater percentage of those states'
votes. This decision left many Democratic women feeling betrayed by
their Party. After the vote was publicized, the unelected "super"
delegates flocked to the Obama camp, making him the "presumptive
nominee."
This Monday evening, Republican operatives in Denver threw a party for Hillary supporters, trying to win the undecided and disaffected among them over to McCain's camp.
-- Lee Jolliffe
How to get press coverage
How to get press coverage? Park your "covered" vehicle right outside the hotel where every press org has to pick up credentials every morning. While I waited in line, I saw dozens of video and still photojournalists grab shots of this car! — Lee Jolliffe
Some Statistics from the Convention
compiled by Lee Jolliffe, J-prof
We have here:
400-500 bloggers are registered and got press credentials (hundreds more are blogging on their own, of course);
Media people will outnumber delegates about 5 or 6 to 1;
17,000 hotel rooms in Denver are dedicated to the Convention;
Delegations range from 12 to 500 people each (from states and territories);
150 delegates are in wheelchairs;
Over 1,000 volunteer drivers are ferrying delegates from the airport and train station;
27,000 volunteers have been accepted to work with the DNC Convention committee (many more people have come to town hoping to volunteer and have not been able to find placements);
343 of the volunteers are students in our group, The Washington Center;
The Denver Host Committee's budget is $40.6 million; Denver is spending no taxpayer money on the Convention;
The Dept of Justice estimates security costs at $50 million;
At least 1,500 events are expected, as interest groups and state caucuses hold mini-conventions of their own at the Colorado Convention Center and in every venue in the city, from hotel suites to theater to bars.
The Convention will bring about $150-200 million in revenues into Denver;
Over 2700 people declared their candidacy for the presidency this time around; Secret Service is only obliged by law to protect "major candidates."
Secret Service men usually have master's degrees; also, they work 21-day rotations;
Only 47.2% of US-ians vote in national elections, placing us FAR down the list among the world's approx. 122 democracies;
They told us how many miles of tv cable they had run; it so boggled my mind I didn't get it wriiten down. Anyone out there know? Pls post in the Comments section.
We have here:
400-500 bloggers are registered and got press credentials (hundreds more are blogging on their own, of course);
Media people will outnumber delegates about 5 or 6 to 1;
17,000 hotel rooms in Denver are dedicated to the Convention;
Delegations range from 12 to 500 people each (from states and territories);
150 delegates are in wheelchairs;
Over 1,000 volunteer drivers are ferrying delegates from the airport and train station;
27,000 volunteers have been accepted to work with the DNC Convention committee (many more people have come to town hoping to volunteer and have not been able to find placements);
343 of the volunteers are students in our group, The Washington Center;
The Denver Host Committee's budget is $40.6 million; Denver is spending no taxpayer money on the Convention;
The Dept of Justice estimates security costs at $50 million;
At least 1,500 events are expected, as interest groups and state caucuses hold mini-conventions of their own at the Colorado Convention Center and in every venue in the city, from hotel suites to theater to bars.
The Convention will bring about $150-200 million in revenues into Denver;
Over 2700 people declared their candidacy for the presidency this time around; Secret Service is only obliged by law to protect "major candidates."
Secret Service men usually have master's degrees; also, they work 21-day rotations;
Only 47.2% of US-ians vote in national elections, placing us FAR down the list among the world's approx. 122 democracies;
They told us how many miles of tv cable they had run; it so boggled my mind I didn't get it wriiten down. Anyone out there know? Pls post in the Comments section.
The Greening of Colorado
by Lee Jolliffe, Drake J-prof
I last saw Colorado in the 1970s. My family vacationed and I worked a summer at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA of the Rockies. We loved it—trail rides and hikes in the unspoiled mountains, bears and coyotes and hummingbirds, mountain goats and the occasional fly fisherman.
Those were the days when middle class families drove for every trip; airline tickets for a whole family were out of the question. I still like to stay on the ground when I travel. And since MapQuest said it was a mere 569 miles from Des Moines to Denver, I drove this year too.
Either MapQuest or I made a 100-mile mistake. Make that 690 miles, total. But I enjoyed the drive for the most part, and got to see the landscape. Driving gives me a true sense of traveling, of crossing the terrains I’m in. I might be tired when I get there, but I will know how far I’ve come.
Iowa is a rumpled coverlet of green, with the hills and valleys like a pleasantly unmade bed. Nebraska farms sprawl more and gradually, traveling west, there’s a shift from corn and soybeans to cattle on fields that are less and less green as you drive past the midpoint. Western Nebraska had fields and fields of sunflowers, some the large, seed-crop type, others the smaller cut-flower variety that shyly ducks its head. Later in Denver, I would see them being sold as cut flowers in the grocery store florists.
When the road diving southward into Colorado, I expected the desert of the 1970s, where tenacious weeds grew the size of bushes, and little grass clung to the dry ground.
Some of the terrain was still like that, but startling green fields were also evident and the land was much more heavily settled than I remembered – or expected. Irrigation machinery explained the change.
One thing that hadn’t changed: Out in the “country” of Colorado, citified building materials cost the earth, and houses were often housetrailers that had been gradually growing outward with porches and decks and awnings and sheds, until the original metal shelter was scarcely visible. Later, I would be invited to a prominent professor’s home in Colorado Springs and see the wide economic divide between more worldly and more rural folks here. That home was on a plateau overlooking Pike’s Peak, with huge lofty rooms, stone fireplaces, a grand piano, and several patios and wide windows overlooking the mountain view. (The road TO the home was still very Coloradan: partly blacktopped, with lots of sloppy washouts around the edges.
Approaching Denver from the northwest, I was shocked by the settlement of what they call their “high plains”. A strip of land just east of the mountains and extending from Fort Collins south through Denver and clear to Colorado Springs is all jammed with settlement now—big box stores, shopping centers, and the dreaded tan-colored, all-the-same housing developments have the night sky lit for miles and miles.
Denver itself has of course grown. The skyscrapers are jammed together and form what must be a nightmare for security people, dreading snipers. The urban sprawl is largely Coloradan, by which I mean, freeform, “don’t-fence-me-in” buildings and zoning. Most of the homes are small by Iowa standards, as are their lots. But no one seems particularly houseproud, either. I think they’re all out hiking and snowboarding, too busy for perfect lawns and windowboxes.
Getting here a week ahead of the Convention gave us a chance to explore, get acclimated to the sudden shift from sea level to 5,000 feet, and somehow start to lay claim to the city as ours.
More than one student has complained that “All these people are invading OUR city.”
I last saw Colorado in the 1970s. My family vacationed and I worked a summer at Snow Mountain Ranch YMCA of the Rockies. We loved it—trail rides and hikes in the unspoiled mountains, bears and coyotes and hummingbirds, mountain goats and the occasional fly fisherman.
Those were the days when middle class families drove for every trip; airline tickets for a whole family were out of the question. I still like to stay on the ground when I travel. And since MapQuest said it was a mere 569 miles from Des Moines to Denver, I drove this year too.
Either MapQuest or I made a 100-mile mistake. Make that 690 miles, total. But I enjoyed the drive for the most part, and got to see the landscape. Driving gives me a true sense of traveling, of crossing the terrains I’m in. I might be tired when I get there, but I will know how far I’ve come.
Iowa is a rumpled coverlet of green, with the hills and valleys like a pleasantly unmade bed. Nebraska farms sprawl more and gradually, traveling west, there’s a shift from corn and soybeans to cattle on fields that are less and less green as you drive past the midpoint. Western Nebraska had fields and fields of sunflowers, some the large, seed-crop type, others the smaller cut-flower variety that shyly ducks its head. Later in Denver, I would see them being sold as cut flowers in the grocery store florists.
When the road diving southward into Colorado, I expected the desert of the 1970s, where tenacious weeds grew the size of bushes, and little grass clung to the dry ground.
Some of the terrain was still like that, but startling green fields were also evident and the land was much more heavily settled than I remembered – or expected. Irrigation machinery explained the change.
One thing that hadn’t changed: Out in the “country” of Colorado, citified building materials cost the earth, and houses were often housetrailers that had been gradually growing outward with porches and decks and awnings and sheds, until the original metal shelter was scarcely visible. Later, I would be invited to a prominent professor’s home in Colorado Springs and see the wide economic divide between more worldly and more rural folks here. That home was on a plateau overlooking Pike’s Peak, with huge lofty rooms, stone fireplaces, a grand piano, and several patios and wide windows overlooking the mountain view. (The road TO the home was still very Coloradan: partly blacktopped, with lots of sloppy washouts around the edges.
Approaching Denver from the northwest, I was shocked by the settlement of what they call their “high plains”. A strip of land just east of the mountains and extending from Fort Collins south through Denver and clear to Colorado Springs is all jammed with settlement now—big box stores, shopping centers, and the dreaded tan-colored, all-the-same housing developments have the night sky lit for miles and miles.
Denver itself has of course grown. The skyscrapers are jammed together and form what must be a nightmare for security people, dreading snipers. The urban sprawl is largely Coloradan, by which I mean, freeform, “don’t-fence-me-in” buildings and zoning. Most of the homes are small by Iowa standards, as are their lots. But no one seems particularly houseproud, either. I think they’re all out hiking and snowboarding, too busy for perfect lawns and windowboxes.
Getting here a week ahead of the Convention gave us a chance to explore, get acclimated to the sudden shift from sea level to 5,000 feet, and somehow start to lay claim to the city as ours.
More than one student has complained that “All these people are invading OUR city.”
Sacrifices We Take for Granted
by Alexa Pichert, Drake journalism
In a thick Boston accent, David O'Connor told us how his children cried every time they had to move, that he'll miss his own son's firsthockey game next week, how his wife hates his Blackberry because every call means he'll have to rush off somewhere. He saw more of Chelsea Clinton's childhood than he has of his own children's. But to him, Chelsea Clinton, John McCain, and the Obamas are all "protectees".
"Every time I type that word," he told us, "my spell-check highlights it. We use a lot of in-house language at the Secret Service."
For 22 years, David O'Connor has served in this small branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Originally formed to track down counterfeiters whose fake currency made up a third of all money circulating in the 1860s, the Secret Service took on protection of Presidents after the McKinley assassination. Nowadays they also protect "major candidates" under a US statute.
What has that meant?
He's traveled the world with Bill Clinton. "It would probably be easier to list the countries I haven't been to," he said.
The job is different with every President, he told us, but he adjusted, from protecting "an 82-year-old Ronald Reagan" to "jogging with Bill Clinton every morning." But the job is also always the same: Protect the protectee.
He talked about visiting the Obama household and explaining to Michelle and the kids what life would be like now that Barack Obama was the Democrat's "presumptive nominee."
My own thoughts? If the Secret Service men hardly have time for their families, how can someone like Barack Obama have time for his family? These are the men that travel around with them and they hardly have time for their loved ones. How can Obama with young children really have time to be there for his girls? What really impressed me the most about this mans speech was what these people have to give up in order to become the President of the United States. You give up any sort of normal life for you, your family and everyone around you. If Obama is elected his daughters will have to go to school everyday surrounded by Secret Service men, who are giving up just as much of their lives as the Obamas would be. These people are all making sacrifices for us to be able to live our lives the way we do.
"Every time I type that word," he told us, "my spell-check highlights it. We use a lot of in-house language at the Secret Service."
For 22 years, David O'Connor has served in this small branch of the Department of Homeland Security. Originally formed to track down counterfeiters whose fake currency made up a third of all money circulating in the 1860s, the Secret Service took on protection of Presidents after the McKinley assassination. Nowadays they also protect "major candidates" under a US statute.
What has that meant?
He's traveled the world with Bill Clinton. "It would probably be easier to list the countries I haven't been to," he said.
The job is different with every President, he told us, but he adjusted, from protecting "an 82-year-old Ronald Reagan" to "jogging with Bill Clinton every morning." But the job is also always the same: Protect the protectee.
He talked about visiting the Obama household and explaining to Michelle and the kids what life would be like now that Barack Obama was the Democrat's "presumptive nominee."
My own thoughts? If the Secret Service men hardly have time for their families, how can someone like Barack Obama have time for his family? These are the men that travel around with them and they hardly have time for their loved ones. How can Obama with young children really have time to be there for his girls? What really impressed me the most about this mans speech was what these people have to give up in order to become the President of the United States. You give up any sort of normal life for you, your family and everyone around you. If Obama is elected his daughters will have to go to school everyday surrounded by Secret Service men, who are giving up just as much of their lives as the Obamas would be. These people are all making sacrifices for us to be able to live our lives the way we do.
Preparations Seem Extreme; Even the Horses are in Riot Gear
by Lee Jolliffe, Drake Journalism teacher
(Photos by Lee Jolliffe)
BEFORE:
Colorado Governor Bill Ritter told us last week about preparations for protestors at the Convention. The students with us
immediately figured out that there's a warehouse surrounded by a razor-wire topped fence serving as a makeshift mega-jail here. They also questioned the attempt to keep protestors in a "free-speech zone"."Many are intent on being arrested," Governor Ritter told us. "They are mostly not people who need to be detained. We just need a facility to 'process' them--fingerprinting and so forth. We'll be issuing municipal tickets, mostly."
Who will be issuing those tickets? The police presence is growing and growing in Denver.
"We're using law enforcement from all over the state and state troopers, too. We have 1700 officers on 12-hour shifts. They're all fully trained--crisis intervention training, if a citizen is wanting to escalate, how to de-escalate."
His greatest concern? A group calling itself "Re-Create '68". Ritter's sense (and mine, I must admit) is that they are coming to Denver "looking for the media image of police brutality, hoping to disrupt."
DURING:
Since Friday, the police presence in Denver has grown radically. I can't get lost, because there's an officer at every corner. On the other hand, these large clumps of police in full riot gear seem ominous in and of themselves.
The 16th Street "mall" is Denver's answer to Crown Center (KC) or Navy Pier (Chicago) or the Harbor (Baltimore); it's a 10-block street that climbs from Union Station and the river here to the top of the downtown area. It's a pedestrian mall with two narrow lanes that free shuttles run on, jammed with stores and cafes and street vendors. Normally a great spot for visitors to roam, now it's jammed with people and cops. Protestors march up and down in clumps at random moments.
Saturday night a colleague went down there. What she described sounded to me like a mardi gras of odd people and everyday people, with fights breaking out for no reason. She said that a clump of the riot police (about 6 to 8 in a group) saw a fight, threw in a teargas cartridge, and then simply left.
Sunday night, another colleague was downtown (Why, I ask myself, are they doing this?). A group of officers began shouting for people to "Get back! Get back!" They yelled about a suspicious package in an alley entrance. My colleague on this: "I think they were just practicing."
About packages: You can't set anything down, of course. And there are no U.S.P.O. mailboxes, lest someone send a very nasty package to passersby. But this whole "green convention" concept has sprouted up recycling bins on every curb. Ahem. Am I the only one who sees the irony?
We're used to candidate arrivals and Presidential visits in Iowa, where candidates roam fairly often, hoping to scare up more caucus votes. But here, when someone of note arrives, anyone downtown knows it by the sirens.
I hope there's never an actual emergency here, because they're crying 'wolf' constantly. First come the motorcyle police, sirens and lights blaring; then there's a chain of SUVs (black, white or silver). In Iowa, we've seen these entourages. What's really different and quite sobering is that here, every SUV traveling in front of and behind the dignitary--and the dignitary's limo--is being ridden on by troopers clinging to the outside of the vehicle. Add the black clothing, helmets, riot gear, and sirens, and...well, it's just not fun, is it?
ALSO DURING:
Driving downtown over the weekend: Denver likely has more scooters and motorcycles than the rest of the USA combined. There are bicycle taxicabs here! So when driving, you're always alert for the single headlights. But this weekend, I drove downtown to pick up some colleagues and got my first glimpse of the bicycle police. Now, these police are charming. Fellows in shorts, riding in fairly large groups, their halogen headlamps flickering like lightning bugs with superpowers...Much more friendly!
Another Take on Howard Dean’s Speech
Alexa Pichert, Drake University Journalism Student, Des Moines, IA,
Denver National Convention Center- Friday August 22
(Photo by Jeff Glaze)
After we had waited around for about forty-five minutes, Howard Dean finally showed up to give a fifteen-minute speech. Granted it was a good speech. I’m not sure if it was worth the wait, though. When Dean first walked up to the podium, an audience member yelled “Yee-Haw!” --imitating his famous yell during the 2004 primaries, which most likely cost him the nomination. Dean, to his credit, ignored the rude but slightly funny comment and continued with his speech about our generation.
He first praised the youth for turning out and voting. Which seems to contradict what everyone in America is saying about the voting percentage of people in their twenties. Dean explained that in the 2000 and the 2004 elections young voters increased by twenty percent each election. Dean said that the youth of America are much more accepting and we continue to vote more Democratic with each election. He believed this was because our generation can no longer relate to Republicans. There are very few rich, old, white men that are our age, he said. We can relate to a multiracial and multicultural face because that’s what we as a generation are.
“I believe it is a good thing young women take for granted their rights, I believe it is a good thing young African Americans expect to be treated with respect,” said Dean. This is one subject I hear about a lot as a young woman. That I take for granted the rights that I have. I disagree with Dean, though. We don’t take for granted our rights; we just know we should be treated as equals and expect to be. Dean said our generation was one that expects to be treated equally and fairly no matter your race, gender, or sexual orientation. We are far from being perfect and there is still racism out there but we expect respect from others and no longer accept unfair treatment. Dean says that this is why people of our generation are so much more willing to vote for Barack Obama.
All in all I thought this speech was a very good one, especially considering the crowd he was talking to and the election with Obama. Maybe not worth a forty-five minute wait but luckily for me, I was late too so it was only about twenty minutes which I’d say were worth it.
This ‘Average Person’ Feels Disconnected from National Politics
by Meagan Savage, Drake University Journalism student
DENVER, Colo., August 22, 2008 -
I suffer from an extreme lack of politi
cal prowess. Politics and I aren’t exactly BFFs who like to have slumber parties and gossip about the latest congressional sex scandals and eat Ben and Jerry’s until we get stomachaches.
Politics and I are more like … well, something. You can insert your own flashy metaphor here. The point is, I don’t get politics. In all fairness, I suppose I haven’t tried all that hard to understand politics, either. I’m not sure who is to blame for that. If I’ve picked up anything from Washington, it’s how to pass the buck. Hmm… maybe I do get it after all.
Maybe the politically apathetic society is to blame with their “Political things are hard; let the rich guys with tons of money and no plan deal with it” mentality. That’s probably a good bet. And then, of course, you could track that back to politics itself.
Rich dudes with money.
I can see our Founders rolling over in their graves. Although, on the other side of the coin, they themselves represented the elite, so maybe we haven’t strayed too far. I like to think their intent, though, was to create a system where the average citizen could run for president, influence policy, and affect change.
Then again, the average citizen is way too smart to run for president.
Let’s face it – it takes someone who’s fairly off his or her rocker to want that job.
But, as I said I don’t get politics – I don’t get the system, I don’t get the process, and I don’t get the appeal. I did decently in my political science class (which sucked), but there’s only so much you can learn out of a book that reads slower than a herd of turtles running uphill through chunky peanut butter. No, you really have to see it in action.
And that’s why I’m here, I suppose; to see it in action. So far I’m still pretty lost, not to mention intimidated by the other students who seem to be in the know and toss around big, hairy political words that probably make them sound more knowledgeable than they are. Not that I doubt their intellect, but impressive words sound far more, well, impressive.
So maybe I’ve arrived at a metaphor after all. Being here surrounded by politics, a subject I clearly know little about, is like going to Spain knowing only a handful of Spanish phrases (including the ever-so-important “where’s the bathroom?” and “how much?”). It’s an overwhelming situation, and I’d better learn the language fast if I want to make the most of it.
DENVER, Colo., August 22, 2008 -
I suffer from an extreme lack of politi
cal prowess. Politics and I aren’t exactly BFFs who like to have slumber parties and gossip about the latest congressional sex scandals and eat Ben and Jerry’s until we get stomachaches.
Politics and I are more like … well, something. You can insert your own flashy metaphor here. The point is, I don’t get politics. In all fairness, I suppose I haven’t tried all that hard to understand politics, either. I’m not sure who is to blame for that. If I’ve picked up anything from Washington, it’s how to pass the buck. Hmm… maybe I do get it after all.
Maybe the politically apathetic society is to blame with their “Political things are hard; let the rich guys with tons of money and no plan deal with it” mentality. That’s probably a good bet. And then, of course, you could track that back to politics itself.
Rich dudes with money.
I can see our Founders rolling over in their graves. Although, on the other side of the coin, they themselves represented the elite, so maybe we haven’t strayed too far. I like to think their intent, though, was to create a system where the average citizen could run for president, influence policy, and affect change.
Then again, the average citizen is way too smart to run for president.
Let’s face it – it takes someone who’s fairly off his or her rocker to want that job.
But, as I said I don’t get politics – I don’t get the system, I don’t get the process, and I don’t get the appeal. I did decently in my political science class (which sucked), but there’s only so much you can learn out of a book that reads slower than a herd of turtles running uphill through chunky peanut butter. No, you really have to see it in action.
And that’s why I’m here, I suppose; to see it in action. So far I’m still pretty lost, not to mention intimidated by the other students who seem to be in the know and toss around big, hairy political words that probably make them sound more knowledgeable than they are. Not that I doubt their intellect, but impressive words sound far more, well, impressive.
So maybe I’ve arrived at a metaphor after all. Being here surrounded by politics, a subject I clearly know little about, is like going to Spain knowing only a handful of Spanish phrases (including the ever-so-important “where’s the bathroom?” and “how much?”). It’s an overwhelming situation, and I’d better learn the language fast if I want to make the most of it.
Anniversaries
Meagan Savage, Drake University Journalism
DENVER, Colo., August 22, 2008 -
It was recently brought to my attention that Senator Obama will be making his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington.
Let’s jog some memories here, folks – that is if we can even call them memories since I’m pretty sure we 18- to 22-year-olds weren’t around 45 years ago (although I could be wrong, I’m a writer not a mathematician.)
Straight from the ever-so-accurate Wikipedia – the March on Washington took place on August 28th, 1963. The march itself, organized by civil rights leaders, went from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial and included over 300,000 people. Then, naturally, came Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Purely coincidental? You mean that on the very anniversary of a major event in the civil rights movement a black man will accept the presidential nomination? I doubt it.
While I think it’s powerful to use the date to mark just how far the country has come as far as civil rights, I think some people might be put off by the date selection. Will this be seen as Obama comparing himself to Dr. King? I doubt that’s his intent. But intentions mean nothing – it’s perceptions that matter. On the other side of the coin, maybe many citizens don’t consider the civil rights movement to be over, and see this as just another step in the right direction.
Since we’re on the subject of anniversaries already, let’s also mention that it’s been exactly 100 years since Denver has hosted the Democratic National Convention. Last time it was 1908 and William Jennings Bryan from Nebraska was the nominee. Thinking about 1908 is astounding to me. Think about it – that was the time when rich white guys really did run this country. And all of it. Forget about women, and don’t even consider African-Americans.
According to the Denver Post, Denver was selected in 1908 “in hopes of securing the western vote.” As far as far as we’ve come in 100 years, I think that may still be the theory here. Today Colorado governor Bill Ritter came to speak to us and he spoke of a “Democratic West” which includes Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, (and some others – cut me some slack, he was speaking fast). All those states have typically been red in the past, but with Colorado leading as example by electing a Democratic governor, I can’t help but feel like that may be part of the motive.
Who the heck knows? I certainly don’t, and am certainly not pretending like I do.
Overall I think it’s rather interesting to see both the progress and the cyclic pattern of things throughout history. Heck – maybe it’ll even be the Cubs’ year.
DENVER, Colo., August 22, 2008 -
It was recently brought to my attention that Senator Obama will be making his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention on the 45th anniversary of the March on Washington.
Let’s jog some memories here, folks – that is if we can even call them memories since I’m pretty sure we 18- to 22-year-olds weren’t around 45 years ago (although I could be wrong, I’m a writer not a mathematician.)
Straight from the ever-so-accurate Wikipedia – the March on Washington took place on August 28th, 1963. The march itself, organized by civil rights leaders, went from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial and included over 300,000 people. Then, naturally, came Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Purely coincidental? You mean that on the very anniversary of a major event in the civil rights movement a black man will accept the presidential nomination? I doubt it.
While I think it’s powerful to use the date to mark just how far the country has come as far as civil rights, I think some people might be put off by the date selection. Will this be seen as Obama comparing himself to Dr. King? I doubt that’s his intent. But intentions mean nothing – it’s perceptions that matter. On the other side of the coin, maybe many citizens don’t consider the civil rights movement to be over, and see this as just another step in the right direction.
Since we’re on the subject of anniversaries already, let’s also mention that it’s been exactly 100 years since Denver has hosted the Democratic National Convention. Last time it was 1908 and William Jennings Bryan from Nebraska was the nominee. Thinking about 1908 is astounding to me. Think about it – that was the time when rich white guys really did run this country. And all of it. Forget about women, and don’t even consider African-Americans.
According to the Denver Post, Denver was selected in 1908 “in hopes of securing the western vote.” As far as far as we’ve come in 100 years, I think that may still be the theory here. Today Colorado governor Bill Ritter came to speak to us and he spoke of a “Democratic West” which includes Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, (and some others – cut me some slack, he was speaking fast). All those states have typically been red in the past, but with Colorado leading as example by electing a Democratic governor, I can’t help but feel like that may be part of the motive.
Who the heck knows? I certainly don’t, and am certainly not pretending like I do.
Overall I think it’s rather interesting to see both the progress and the cyclic pattern of things throughout history. Heck – maybe it’ll even be the Cubs’ year.
Dean Short and Uninspiring
DENVER, Colo., August 22, 2008 -
DNC chairman Howard Dean spoke to a group of Washington Center students today at the Colorado Convention Center. Dean arrived fashionably late with DNCC CEO Leah Daughtry, but was still swarmed by a mob of enthused students. Daughtry introduced chairman Dean to a burst of flashbulbs. Dean proceeded to thank the student volunteers for their efforts towards next week’s convention and then went on to praise the younger generation’s strong support for Senator Obama. Dean’s admiration for young voters’ openness to minority candidates seemed rather halfhearted. Chairman Dean’s speech was kept very brief. Dean exited the room immediately after leaving the podium, leaving many of the student supporters disappointed.
Daughtry on the other hand came across very charming as usual. During Dean’s speech, she mingled with students seeking photo ops. Daughtry is always pleasant and conscious of young voters. Howard Dean, take a lesson for Leah Daughtry,: Make time for the Democratic Party’s future.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
PLAYING THE "ABORTION CARD"
By SouthDakota (USD)
August 23, 2008
While wandering outside of the Pepsi Center yesterday, I came across some political statements that had been chalked on the sidewalk. One of the first proclamations read, “Obama, the assassin.” Some of the other phrases said, “One thing is for sure, you won't be getting the dead babies' vote!” and “Smile! Your mom chose life!” Many similar statements were scribbled across the sidewalk in various colors. In this vicinity, there was a man holding a sign that read, “Obama's bad for American and Israel.” Few people stopped to ask him about his opinions, but many people took pictures.
Even though I expected there to be protests and mudslinging, I was somewhat taken aback when I read the statements. I never saw any indication of who was responsible for the remarks, but if people feel strongly enough about the issue to chalk sidewalks, they should feel no shame claiming their work. Even though I disagree with the opinions of the man holding the poster regarding Obama and Israel, I have respect for him. It would take a lot of courage to stand in front of thousands of people, many of whom are likely liberals, and oppose their candidate for the presidency. I also would have liked to speak with those who passed by the chalk markings; their opinions on the statements would have been intriguing. I don't think abortion has been as much of an issue this year as it has been in previous elections. Obviously people are still deeply divided over the pro-choice/pro-life issue, but I think more people are concerned with the suffering economy, the unpopular War in Iraq, and the development of innovative renewable energy technologies. It is, however, easier to criticize a political opponent for his or her stand on abortion because the topic incites strong feelings, and people's emotions usually factor into their decision to endorse or reject a candidate. The markings on the sidewalk almost seem like a low blow to Obama. The “abortion card” has been played over and over again in recent political campaigns. Maybe it's time for a new major distinction between liberals and conservatives.
August 23, 2008
While wandering outside of the Pepsi Center yesterday, I came across some political statements that had been chalked on the sidewalk. One of the first proclamations read, “Obama, the assassin.” Some of the other phrases said, “One thing is for sure, you won't be getting the dead babies' vote!” and “Smile! Your mom chose life!” Many similar statements were scribbled across the sidewalk in various colors. In this vicinity, there was a man holding a sign that read, “Obama's bad for American and Israel.” Few people stopped to ask him about his opinions, but many people took pictures.
Even though I expected there to be protests and mudslinging, I was somewhat taken aback when I read the statements. I never saw any indication of who was responsible for the remarks, but if people feel strongly enough about the issue to chalk sidewalks, they should feel no shame claiming their work. Even though I disagree with the opinions of the man holding the poster regarding Obama and Israel, I have respect for him. It would take a lot of courage to stand in front of thousands of people, many of whom are likely liberals, and oppose their candidate for the presidency. I also would have liked to speak with those who passed by the chalk markings; their opinions on the statements would have been intriguing. I don't think abortion has been as much of an issue this year as it has been in previous elections. Obviously people are still deeply divided over the pro-choice/pro-life issue, but I think more people are concerned with the suffering economy, the unpopular War in Iraq, and the development of innovative renewable energy technologies. It is, however, easier to criticize a political opponent for his or her stand on abortion because the topic incites strong feelings, and people's emotions usually factor into their decision to endorse or reject a candidate. The markings on the sidewalk almost seem like a low blow to Obama. The “abortion card” has been played over and over again in recent political campaigns. Maybe it's time for a new major distinction between liberals and conservatives.
VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN?
by Marilyn Boskey (Drake)
August 23, 2008
Barack Obama has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be his Vice Presidential nominee. I have to say I am a little disappointed with the timing. 1:37am Mountain Time. I had been looking forward to a swell of vibrating alerts during a morning lecture session or on a crowded Regis bus headed downtown. At 1:37am there was no hushed whispering, no debate about whether he had chosen well, no Biden fans jumping out of their seats. It doesn't help that several hours earlier someone had already leaked that it was Joe Biden to the press. I had been so looking forward to that text message, and it was a little disappointing.
Joe Biden was definitely not a surprise pick. He's older and wiser and has experience under his belt. While I know that the Vice President plays a large role in the unfortunate event of something happening to the President, in our history it is a rather rare event that the Vice President really plays any role in the Executive Branch. The VP's most exciting duty, breaking ties in the Senate in his function as President of the Senate, hopefully won't be necessary due to a swell of Democrats taking those seats this election cycle. Furthermore, I fully hope he doesn't take the Dick Cheney approach to the office, in which he controls the Executive Branch. No, hopefully Joe Biden can and will serve as a mentor to our young presidential nominee - someone he can turn to when Russia is at the brink of war or national security might be threatened.
But that brings up another question. Should a President need a mentor? When you are in the highest office in the world, shouldn't you be the mentor to others? I don't think so. In such a powerful position, I would hope the President would look to others who have more experience for advice and help. Obama needs a philosophy, not just an appeal for change. I strongly believe in a strategy that we created in our small group here at the Washington Center; Obama should campaign with the people he will surround himself with in the White House. He needs to campaign with the people who are wise enough to help him create the changes he wants to make. Hopefully Joe Biden can be his mentor and help contribute to a victory on November 4th and a strong Presidency for the next four years.
August 23, 2008
Barack Obama has chosen Senator Joe Biden to be his Vice Presidential nominee. I have to say I am a little disappointed with the timing. 1:37am Mountain Time. I had been looking forward to a swell of vibrating alerts during a morning lecture session or on a crowded Regis bus headed downtown. At 1:37am there was no hushed whispering, no debate about whether he had chosen well, no Biden fans jumping out of their seats. It doesn't help that several hours earlier someone had already leaked that it was Joe Biden to the press. I had been so looking forward to that text message, and it was a little disappointing.
Joe Biden was definitely not a surprise pick. He's older and wiser and has experience under his belt. While I know that the Vice President plays a large role in the unfortunate event of something happening to the President, in our history it is a rather rare event that the Vice President really plays any role in the Executive Branch. The VP's most exciting duty, breaking ties in the Senate in his function as President of the Senate, hopefully won't be necessary due to a swell of Democrats taking those seats this election cycle. Furthermore, I fully hope he doesn't take the Dick Cheney approach to the office, in which he controls the Executive Branch. No, hopefully Joe Biden can and will serve as a mentor to our young presidential nominee - someone he can turn to when Russia is at the brink of war or national security might be threatened.
But that brings up another question. Should a President need a mentor? When you are in the highest office in the world, shouldn't you be the mentor to others? I don't think so. In such a powerful position, I would hope the President would look to others who have more experience for advice and help. Obama needs a philosophy, not just an appeal for change. I strongly believe in a strategy that we created in our small group here at the Washington Center; Obama should campaign with the people he will surround himself with in the White House. He needs to campaign with the people who are wise enough to help him create the changes he wants to make. Hopefully Joe Biden can be his mentor and help contribute to a victory on November 4th and a strong Presidency for the next four years.
Friday, August 22, 2008
A CELEBRITY MOMENT
By Andrew Lemens (Drake)
August 22, 2008
This afternoon, we participated in what I would deem a celebrity moment. Governor Dean was scheduled to address those of us from The Washington Center and from the moment he stepped foot in the room, he was surrounded by students wanting to shake his hand or snap a picture. The mob slowly progressed to the front of the stage where, after a short introduction by Reverend Daughtry, Governor Dean began to speak. His remarks were not long (maybe 15 minutes at the most) but they certainly did not come up short for content. He spoke of generational differences, promoting the party, and the need for youth participation in order to achieve success. The speech was nothing original by any means and very obviously a set of talking points used when in front of a young audience. This did not matter to the audience as they were visibly hanging onto every word out of the Governor's mouth. After coming to a passionate conclusion, we, as students, left the room with a new energy. It felt as though Dean had touched a nerve in each of us and under the leadership of the DNC, the Democratic Party was infallible.
While I will freely admit that I am a sucker for passionate, energizing speeches, I felt something special in the room today and it got me thinking to the power of a speaker. We, as educated students, were presented with a “political celebrity” and took the bait. There was excitement at the thought of hearing from Governor Dean, but his presence, and words of assurance brought the audience to a new level. It is truly something powerful when one person can captivate an entire audience. We have spent part of the week discussing how the Democratic Convention must go well for the both the party and the Obama Campaign. Delegates, guests, and the party faithful must leave the convention energized for the upcoming months so they can in turn inspire those around them in their state organizations. I have the feeling that Governor Dean has nothing on Obama when it comes to inspirational speaking and the convention week slate of speakers (including the Clintons, Al Gore, Michelle & Barack Obama, along with many others) will have no problem sending us home ready to fight on to November.
THE CONVENTION HALL AT DAWN
By Victor Cedeno (Drake)
August 22, 2008
The first thing I do each morning is go on my computer and check the news. Right away I noticed that CNN had a live feed of the convention hall. For the first time ever, the hall had been disclosed to the public before the official kick off of the convention. Today I would not attend any lectures. I would soon be on my way to the very hall that was being streamed live all over the world. I would be one of the first to see with my own eyes the stage that has taken months to prepare and would soon be host to some of the greatest politicians and voices in the country.
A group of us were volunteers as security for the first-ever open house event for the Democratic National Convention. We arrived an hour early (6:00am) so that we could tour the hall. As we entered the Pepsi Center, the excitement was in the air. We were led as a big group to the second floor of and taken down a long path around the hall. As we walked the excitement grew exponentially as we were able to take peeks of the inside of the hall through some curtains that were not all the way closed. Through the openings we saw a small portion of the bright blue almost purple room.
We finally arrived at one of the open entrances and the sentiment was that of awe. The first thing I noticed was the clear abundance of blue in the room. Most of the room is decorated with red, white, and blue (of course), but blue was a dominant presence. All the seats were separated in sections depending on the states; each state delegation is marked by a tall blue pole. The main attraction of course was the stage with the podium. The podium is in the center of the (blue) stage. Behind it is a door that resembles a second but higher podium. Behind the podium extends what I recall as the most amazing and biggest screen I have ever seen, only the Imax Theater can compare and still falls short. To be more specific the screen is separated into 12 different parts with different shapes. The center screen showed: "DNC Democratic National Convention 2008." Surrounding the text was an American flag that flowed upwards its stars. The top screens actually bend towards the audience and stand directly above the podium for an overwhelming feeling.
We know that conventions are a lot more Hollywood than politics. The nominee has already been chosen. The purpose of the convention is to coronate the candidate and present him or her to the American public. It is a staged act and this time the Democrats have gone out of their way to make sure the stage is fit for a great act. But it is not about just looking good; there are many strategic parts to the stage. The presence of blue is very important. Blue is a softer color very often associated with unity and harmony, exactly the kind of atmosphere needed at the convention (and, of course, it's come to be synonomous with the Democratic party). It's interesting to note the placement of the delegations. Illinois, of course, is in the center being Senator Obama's home state. Colorado also gets the privilege of the floor for hosting the convention. Other battleground states are also on the floor such as Ohio and Iowa. Interestingly enough Michigan and Florida both have floor seats. This sparked some debate as it could be seen as a sign of a weaker party unable to enforce its own rules. The message could be, defy the party, and receive more attention. At the same time, these two states created an issue that helped divide the party, perhaps this is the way to help unite it.
After witnessing the stage itself before any speakers I realized how much was at stake. This must be a successful convention and the expectations are as high as the stage is magnificent. I wonder if the program for the next week will live up to expectations.
August 22, 2008
The first thing I do each morning is go on my computer and check the news. Right away I noticed that CNN had a live feed of the convention hall. For the first time ever, the hall had been disclosed to the public before the official kick off of the convention. Today I would not attend any lectures. I would soon be on my way to the very hall that was being streamed live all over the world. I would be one of the first to see with my own eyes the stage that has taken months to prepare and would soon be host to some of the greatest politicians and voices in the country.
A group of us were volunteers as security for the first-ever open house event for the Democratic National Convention. We arrived an hour early (6:00am) so that we could tour the hall. As we entered the Pepsi Center, the excitement was in the air. We were led as a big group to the second floor of and taken down a long path around the hall. As we walked the excitement grew exponentially as we were able to take peeks of the inside of the hall through some curtains that were not all the way closed. Through the openings we saw a small portion of the bright blue almost purple room.
We finally arrived at one of the open entrances and the sentiment was that of awe. The first thing I noticed was the clear abundance of blue in the room. Most of the room is decorated with red, white, and blue (of course), but blue was a dominant presence. All the seats were separated in sections depending on the states; each state delegation is marked by a tall blue pole. The main attraction of course was the stage with the podium. The podium is in the center of the (blue) stage. Behind it is a door that resembles a second but higher podium. Behind the podium extends what I recall as the most amazing and biggest screen I have ever seen, only the Imax Theater can compare and still falls short. To be more specific the screen is separated into 12 different parts with different shapes. The center screen showed: "DNC Democratic National Convention 2008." Surrounding the text was an American flag that flowed upwards its stars. The top screens actually bend towards the audience and stand directly above the podium for an overwhelming feeling.
We know that conventions are a lot more Hollywood than politics. The nominee has already been chosen. The purpose of the convention is to coronate the candidate and present him or her to the American public. It is a staged act and this time the Democrats have gone out of their way to make sure the stage is fit for a great act. But it is not about just looking good; there are many strategic parts to the stage. The presence of blue is very important. Blue is a softer color very often associated with unity and harmony, exactly the kind of atmosphere needed at the convention (and, of course, it's come to be synonomous with the Democratic party). It's interesting to note the placement of the delegations. Illinois, of course, is in the center being Senator Obama's home state. Colorado also gets the privilege of the floor for hosting the convention. Other battleground states are also on the floor such as Ohio and Iowa. Interestingly enough Michigan and Florida both have floor seats. This sparked some debate as it could be seen as a sign of a weaker party unable to enforce its own rules. The message could be, defy the party, and receive more attention. At the same time, these two states created an issue that helped divide the party, perhaps this is the way to help unite it.
After witnessing the stage itself before any speakers I realized how much was at stake. This must be a successful convention and the expectations are as high as the stage is magnificent. I wonder if the program for the next week will live up to expectations.
BREAKING THROUGH A FALSEHOOD: DEMOCRATS ARE “FAITH-FULL”
by Kenny Smith (Hastings) - August 19, 2008
Reverend Leah Daughtry, [guest speaker; Chief Executive Officer of the DNC and leader of the Faith Outreach program] was the standout speaker of the day, and the epitome of what I believe the Democratic Party stands for: inclusion and positive change. She touched on all the community outreach efforts that she as CEO has organized through the DNC, not to mention her impressive personal experience. Most intriguing was her discussion of inclusion at this convention, where several smaller conventions are taking place within it, ranging from GLBT activists and interest groups to gatherings of persons of various faiths.
Her double role as a Pentecostal reverend and CEO of the Democratic Convention, a party often characterized as “faithless”, does much to demonstrate the inclusion of this convention, while it breaks through the idea that Democrats cannot be people of faith by default.
She made an astute observation concerning the disconnect of laws being passed, yet failing by and large because of the eight separate agencies that write up the rules and regulations surrounding that legislation.
Her speech was truly inspirational; honestly, I didn't even know of her before today but I probably would follow her to the end of the world if she wanted me to.
Reverend Leah Daughtry, [guest speaker; Chief Executive Officer of the DNC and leader of the Faith Outreach program] was the standout speaker of the day, and the epitome of what I believe the Democratic Party stands for: inclusion and positive change. She touched on all the community outreach efforts that she as CEO has organized through the DNC, not to mention her impressive personal experience. Most intriguing was her discussion of inclusion at this convention, where several smaller conventions are taking place within it, ranging from GLBT activists and interest groups to gatherings of persons of various faiths.
Her double role as a Pentecostal reverend and CEO of the Democratic Convention, a party often characterized as “faithless”, does much to demonstrate the inclusion of this convention, while it breaks through the idea that Democrats cannot be people of faith by default.
She made an astute observation concerning the disconnect of laws being passed, yet failing by and large because of the eight separate agencies that write up the rules and regulations surrounding that legislation.
Her speech was truly inspirational; honestly, I didn't even know of her before today but I probably would follow her to the end of the world if she wanted me to.
HOW DO WE VALUE “EXPERIENCE”?
by Kenny Smith (Hastings) - August 19, 2008
Dr. Michael Genovese [Scholar in Residence] asked us to consider just how much experience mattered in the American presidency and presented some historic comparisons suggesting that it is not necessarily the amount of experience that a nominee has but the worth of the experience that they do have.
He suggested several qualities in a president that seem to be more important such as ability to be compassionate and go against the grain of popular opinion, being thick skinned but still connecting to the constituents. Some of his comparisons (in my opinion) were a little far-reaching to say the least, as he was citing Lincoln as a low experience high success president but then comparing that to Roosevelt as a highly experienced and highly successful president. This comparison is skewed because these presidents lived in completely different eras with unique political settings. It was certainly an interesting point of discussion at the afternoon's small group meeting in the park... when we weren't being distracted by the crazy parade and a hawk that kept scaring away the pigeons!
Dr. Michael Genovese [Scholar in Residence] asked us to consider just how much experience mattered in the American presidency and presented some historic comparisons suggesting that it is not necessarily the amount of experience that a nominee has but the worth of the experience that they do have.
He suggested several qualities in a president that seem to be more important such as ability to be compassionate and go against the grain of popular opinion, being thick skinned but still connecting to the constituents. Some of his comparisons (in my opinion) were a little far-reaching to say the least, as he was citing Lincoln as a low experience high success president but then comparing that to Roosevelt as a highly experienced and highly successful president. This comparison is skewed because these presidents lived in completely different eras with unique political settings. It was certainly an interesting point of discussion at the afternoon's small group meeting in the park... when we weren't being distracted by the crazy parade and a hawk that kept scaring away the pigeons!
RELIGION AND POLITICS MUST BE INTERTWINED
by SouthDakota(USD) - August 19, 2008
In this morning’s session, a student raised a question with regard to politics and faith. The student's question, however, contained logic which necessitates evaluation. The crux of the student's message relied on two flawed premises: one, the American Democratic Party neither includes members of faith nor should it because that comports more with Republican Party philosophy and belief; two, the connection between faith and politics is harmful for the Democratic Party. These assumptions are fatally flawed.
As Leah Daughtry [guest speaker; Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention] asserts, “People do not check their faith at the door.” She further shed light on the fact that the Founding Fathers did not intend religion to be excluded from politics. Rather, Rev. Daughtry’s statement underscores that the U.S. Constitution aims to preclude the establishment of a national religion, like that of its former mother country, England. U.S. citizens, moreover, retain a panoply of religious rights through the U.S. Constitution. Accordingly, it is unsurprising that citizens not only value their religious rights, but also frequently exercise them.
From a political science perspective, connections between a religious institution and its particular followers provides for social capital—the currency upon which American Democracy thrives. The incorporation of religious institutions, active citizens in those institutions, and political parties furthers social capital through various bonding and bridging mechanisms which, in turn, create a profound impact on the strength of democracy. It would, thus, be necessary in order for parties to remain strong and function (power in the masses) that religion and politics are intertwined.
The destruction of democracy lies in the exclusion of any people from its process who should be eligible to vote. The inclusion of people of all faiths opens doors for an emboldened democracy and each respective political party.
In this morning’s session, a student raised a question with regard to politics and faith. The student's question, however, contained logic which necessitates evaluation. The crux of the student's message relied on two flawed premises: one, the American Democratic Party neither includes members of faith nor should it because that comports more with Republican Party philosophy and belief; two, the connection between faith and politics is harmful for the Democratic Party. These assumptions are fatally flawed.
As Leah Daughtry [guest speaker; Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention] asserts, “People do not check their faith at the door.” She further shed light on the fact that the Founding Fathers did not intend religion to be excluded from politics. Rather, Rev. Daughtry’s statement underscores that the U.S. Constitution aims to preclude the establishment of a national religion, like that of its former mother country, England. U.S. citizens, moreover, retain a panoply of religious rights through the U.S. Constitution. Accordingly, it is unsurprising that citizens not only value their religious rights, but also frequently exercise them.
From a political science perspective, connections between a religious institution and its particular followers provides for social capital—the currency upon which American Democracy thrives. The incorporation of religious institutions, active citizens in those institutions, and political parties furthers social capital through various bonding and bridging mechanisms which, in turn, create a profound impact on the strength of democracy. It would, thus, be necessary in order for parties to remain strong and function (power in the masses) that religion and politics are intertwined.
The destruction of democracy lies in the exclusion of any people from its process who should be eligible to vote. The inclusion of people of all faiths opens doors for an emboldened democracy and each respective political party.
GREEN CITY HOLDS GREEN CONVENTION
Jeff Glaze - August 19, 2008
The transformation of Denver is in full swing as the city prepares for thousands of delegates, reporters, and protesters to converge for next week’s Democratic National Convention. With the environment playing such a prominent role in the platform of Senator Obama, both the city of Denver and the DNC are stepping up to promote a green convention.
Walking through Denver’s downtown conveys a rather strange urban experience. The streets are in pristine condition. City employees can often be spotted with broom and dustpan in hand, sweeping up any unsightly debris that may have been left behind. Clean public transportation is also being provided and encouraged on a large scale. The MallRide buses that run up and down 16th Street are hybrid electric powered and free to ride. Denver’s light rail system is electric powered and runs perpendicular to the buses and is very affordable to ride. Bicycles, cabs, and horse-drawn carriages are also constantly visible in the Denver’s downtown district.
Work is being done in and around the Pepsi Center and Invesco Field at a furious pace. The first impression of the DNCC is found near the gates surrounding the Pepsi Center grounds. A massive solar array is in place to help power the lighting at the convention. Next to the solar array is the convention fleet, entirely made up of Chevrolet hybrid vehicles. Closer to the Pepsi Center, water stations are set up near the porta-potties for convention guests to wash their hands. A sign attached to the water station reads, “Welcome to the greenest DNC ever. Right down to the hand-sanitizer.”
In an era where being green is being cool, the DNCC and the city of Denver’s meticulous attention to greening the convention is showing. Without a doubt, as delegations begin to arrive, they will be pleasantly surprised by the collaborative effort to reduce this convention’s carbon footprint. With the addition of Al Gore to the convention’s list of speakers, it is obvious that the Democratic Party is taking the environment very seriously during this campaign. Next Thursday when Senator Obama takes the stage to accept the Democratic nomination, he will be making history, but leaving little behind.
LIKE A VISITOR TO MY OWN CITY
by Kenny Smith (Hastings) - August 19, 2008
Today was the last day of what I am referring to as the orientation days. Although we are fairly familiar with the structure and demands of the [Washington Center’s] program, although we know our assignments are likely to change abruptly with the beginning of fieldwork, it was truly our last chance to become oriented with the downtown area before fieldwork placements are assigned tomorrow.
Although I am a Colorado native and grew up just fifteen minutes from the heart of downtown, it is always refreshing to reacquaint myself with the rapidly developing city, and even more so to have my knowledge tested by the students in the program from other states. With the convention coming to Denver, much has changed, so that it really is like I am a visitor in my own city..
Some of these changes were discussed by Ricky Kirshner [guest speaker; Executive Producer of the Democratic National Convention] – the man who is responsible for transforming the Pepsi Center, the official site of the convention. His discussion was refreshing in a realm where politics is often the main focus, as it opened my eyes to the sheer amount of work it takes just to enable an establishment to host a convention with its many security, technology, and attendance concerns.
Particularly interesting was his emphasis that he was producing a 24/7 live event, and that although he can tailor the message he wishes to send out, he only controls the media within the convention hall. It is left to the various media organizations to distribute that message, but they control their own coverage, and as he put it, “where the camera points.” In the end, the first day the hall is opened is the first day many people will see the hall, and they won't know anything other than what their eyes register at that moment.
Today was the last day of what I am referring to as the orientation days. Although we are fairly familiar with the structure and demands of the [Washington Center’s] program, although we know our assignments are likely to change abruptly with the beginning of fieldwork, it was truly our last chance to become oriented with the downtown area before fieldwork placements are assigned tomorrow.
Although I am a Colorado native and grew up just fifteen minutes from the heart of downtown, it is always refreshing to reacquaint myself with the rapidly developing city, and even more so to have my knowledge tested by the students in the program from other states. With the convention coming to Denver, much has changed, so that it really is like I am a visitor in my own city..
Some of these changes were discussed by Ricky Kirshner [guest speaker; Executive Producer of the Democratic National Convention] – the man who is responsible for transforming the Pepsi Center, the official site of the convention. His discussion was refreshing in a realm where politics is often the main focus, as it opened my eyes to the sheer amount of work it takes just to enable an establishment to host a convention with its many security, technology, and attendance concerns.
Particularly interesting was his emphasis that he was producing a 24/7 live event, and that although he can tailor the message he wishes to send out, he only controls the media within the convention hall. It is left to the various media organizations to distribute that message, but they control their own coverage, and as he put it, “where the camera points.” In the end, the first day the hall is opened is the first day many people will see the hall, and they won't know anything other than what their eyes register at that moment.
WHOSE PARTY IS IT
By Bryan Riha - August 18, 2008
A green convention. Obama's Convention. A tribute to Hillary. Seemingly less mentioned, the Democratic National Convention. I would like to open the conversation up to something I think is more obvious, the divisiveness in the American public. In a country full of self interests, I find it no surprise that this convention has taken on many names, forms, and will even have more than one candidate in nomination. We’ve heard “Obama's convention” has been used to describe this convention, and it’s true: This convention needs to boost the Obama campaign. As we rally behind our new candidate, we still have another looming in the background, the beloved Hillary Clinton. I have read many stories outlining the convention's goals of honoring her campaign and somehow respectfully giving Michigan and Florida's delegates back to her... Unfortunately this does not guarantee peace among fellow Democrats. The closeness of this competition among top candidates, the merry-go-round of events – all lead to the party's greatest struggle, unity. One must ask himself or herself, where do my interests lie and are these interests pragmatic in the nomination process?
I would like to hope that this convention runs smoothly, but I am still left feeling bittersweet. My chosen candidate did not make it past South Carolina. I'll admit, I'm an interested but focused voter. However, I am also well aware that this is all part of the nomination process, a process that is not fair, has decreased the role of political parties beyond what should be considered dangerous, and often produces candidates prone to close elections where voters choose “the lesser of two evils.” These all must be examined through contextual evidence and we must learn from past mistakes and successes if we hope to hold a convention that brings about a candidate with no regrets.
We all have different expectations of the candidates and the convention. However, I am feeling estranged from my expectations for the party. Yes – my party, not Obama's.
A green convention. Obama's Convention. A tribute to Hillary. Seemingly less mentioned, the Democratic National Convention. I would like to open the conversation up to something I think is more obvious, the divisiveness in the American public. In a country full of self interests, I find it no surprise that this convention has taken on many names, forms, and will even have more than one candidate in nomination. We’ve heard “Obama's convention” has been used to describe this convention, and it’s true: This convention needs to boost the Obama campaign. As we rally behind our new candidate, we still have another looming in the background, the beloved Hillary Clinton. I have read many stories outlining the convention's goals of honoring her campaign and somehow respectfully giving Michigan and Florida's delegates back to her... Unfortunately this does not guarantee peace among fellow Democrats. The closeness of this competition among top candidates, the merry-go-round of events – all lead to the party's greatest struggle, unity. One must ask himself or herself, where do my interests lie and are these interests pragmatic in the nomination process?
I would like to hope that this convention runs smoothly, but I am still left feeling bittersweet. My chosen candidate did not make it past South Carolina. I'll admit, I'm an interested but focused voter. However, I am also well aware that this is all part of the nomination process, a process that is not fair, has decreased the role of political parties beyond what should be considered dangerous, and often produces candidates prone to close elections where voters choose “the lesser of two evils.” These all must be examined through contextual evidence and we must learn from past mistakes and successes if we hope to hold a convention that brings about a candidate with no regrets.
We all have different expectations of the candidates and the convention. However, I am feeling estranged from my expectations for the party. Yes – my party, not Obama's.
Greetings from Denver!
As most Drake students settle into the dorms and anticipate the start of the fall semester, a small group of students have ventured forth to the Mile-High City to witness the Democratic National Convention. For the uninitiated, I’m Dr. Rachel Paine Caufield, in Drake’s Politics and International Relations department and I’ll be one of the contributors to this blog, but I’ll leave the vast majority of commentary (and work) to the students. In the meantime, here’s a brief overview of what we’re doing.
One of the most wonderful things about being a politically-minded professor at Drake is seeing generations of students get involved in politics through the Iowa caucuses. It’s an amazing experience for them (and for us), and it’s heartening to see young voters be active and engaged.
Since it’s impossible to go through a caucus and not be excited about the election itself, Dr. Lee Jolliffe (professor of Journalism at Drake) and I decided to become faculty leaders for The Washington Center’s Campaign 2008 program. (You can check out the program at www.twc.edu). The Washington Center’s goal is to bring students from all over the world together to learn about and experience the conventions firsthand. Participating for the first time this year, we Drake folks have a remarkable opportunity; after seeing Barack Obama win the Iowa caucuses, we Iowans can now witness an historic moment when he accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination for president at Invesco Field next Thursday night.
So here we are. We have three Drake journalism students and seven Drake politics students with us. And, lest anyone think that we’re just having fun out here, let me assure you that we are keeping very busy. Every morning, students and faculty join here at Regis University (which has been gracious enough to delay their academic calendar for a week to accommodate us) for 4 hours of guest speakers and lectures by two of the nation’s leading presidency scholars, Tom Cronin and Michael Genovese. Then we meet in small groups for discussion amid any number of special events (a trip to Invesco Field last night, a trip to the Pepsi Center for tours of the convention hall tomorrow afternoon, with a special appearance by Howard Dean). Every student will also do fieldwork – they’ll be volunteering with media organizations, interest groups, the DNC, the DNCC (Convention Committee), the Host Committee, and state party delegations, plus helping with events like the Emily’s List reception (special guests Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Michelle Obama) and a Rock the Vote concert headlining Fall Out Boy.
Although most of our contributors are Drake students, we’ve joined with students from the University of Missouri, the University of South Dakota and Hastings College. We’ll try to let you know who’s who as we go. A few of our politics students hesitate to blog openly about their political leanings, lest it limit opportunities later; those students we’ll allow to write under pen names.
I’ll also introduce Jordan Oster, a Drake Politics major who is an elected Obama delegate at the age of 21. Anyone who wants to know more about Jordan can see his interview with MTV: http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00989EBC001700992772/. We hope he’ll chime in from time to time to share his experiences.
As we await word of the vice presidential candidate, ponder the long and tortuous road that has been Barack Obama’s campaign, and think about the future of the party, the presidency, and the country, it’s pretty special to know that we get to go “from caucus to convention.” The next stop is the inauguration (yup, we’ll be there too).
One of the most wonderful things about being a politically-minded professor at Drake is seeing generations of students get involved in politics through the Iowa caucuses. It’s an amazing experience for them (and for us), and it’s heartening to see young voters be active and engaged.
Since it’s impossible to go through a caucus and not be excited about the election itself, Dr. Lee Jolliffe (professor of Journalism at Drake) and I decided to become faculty leaders for The Washington Center’s Campaign 2008 program. (You can check out the program at www.twc.edu). The Washington Center’s goal is to bring students from all over the world together to learn about and experience the conventions firsthand. Participating for the first time this year, we Drake folks have a remarkable opportunity; after seeing Barack Obama win the Iowa caucuses, we Iowans can now witness an historic moment when he accepts the Democratic Party’s nomination for president at Invesco Field next Thursday night.
So here we are. We have three Drake journalism students and seven Drake politics students with us. And, lest anyone think that we’re just having fun out here, let me assure you that we are keeping very busy. Every morning, students and faculty join here at Regis University (which has been gracious enough to delay their academic calendar for a week to accommodate us) for 4 hours of guest speakers and lectures by two of the nation’s leading presidency scholars, Tom Cronin and Michael Genovese. Then we meet in small groups for discussion amid any number of special events (a trip to Invesco Field last night, a trip to the Pepsi Center for tours of the convention hall tomorrow afternoon, with a special appearance by Howard Dean). Every student will also do fieldwork – they’ll be volunteering with media organizations, interest groups, the DNC, the DNCC (Convention Committee), the Host Committee, and state party delegations, plus helping with events like the Emily’s List reception (special guests Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, and Michelle Obama) and a Rock the Vote concert headlining Fall Out Boy.
Although most of our contributors are Drake students, we’ve joined with students from the University of Missouri, the University of South Dakota and Hastings College. We’ll try to let you know who’s who as we go. A few of our politics students hesitate to blog openly about their political leanings, lest it limit opportunities later; those students we’ll allow to write under pen names.
I’ll also introduce Jordan Oster, a Drake Politics major who is an elected Obama delegate at the age of 21. Anyone who wants to know more about Jordan can see his interview with MTV: http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00989EBC001700992772/. We hope he’ll chime in from time to time to share his experiences.
As we await word of the vice presidential candidate, ponder the long and tortuous road that has been Barack Obama’s campaign, and think about the future of the party, the presidency, and the country, it’s pretty special to know that we get to go “from caucus to convention.” The next stop is the inauguration (yup, we’ll be there too).
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